...if the picture at the top of the page is anything to go by. One thing I did learn today is to not back a horse at Chester ever again! The place is a graveyard for gambling. If your horse isn't in a handy position from the off then it is next to impossible to win. Unfortunately, two of my three picks today were dropped out the back by Jim Crowley, and their chances were almost gone instantly when I saw this happen, in my opinion.
Pintura ran a cracker in the opening race. He raced just off the pace, a perfect place to race at Chester, and when Jamie Spencer pushed the button on him he responded well to go into the lead. Unfortunately, he was just caught about 5 yards from the line by Paul Hanagan on Kyllachy Star, which was a tough blow to take.
Maretta Blanche ran no sort of race at all, and was clearly out for the spin in my opinion. This is always a danger with horses who are coming back off a long lay off, and it wouldn't surprise me to see her run a big race next time out, with fitness now improved from today's "run".
Dynamic Drive is the horse that annoyed me most today. Jim Crowley dropped him out the back of the pack coming out of the stalls, and even though the race was over a mile and a half, that is still not a suitable tactic to employ at Chester. Crowley still had plenty of horse under him coming into the closing stages, but he was too far back to challenge the leaders, who had flown for home at that stage. He also got no luck in running though when going to make his run. More prominant tactics may have seen a better result.
My picks have been a big pile of fail in recent days, and I really need to turn things around soon. No better way to do that than have a max bet in a 23 runner handicap hurdle and an each way bet in a big field handicap over 7 furlongs at Ascot!
Ascot 3.25 - Brae Hill - 1pt e/w @ 14/1 (Paddy Power)
A 29 runner handicap over a quick 7 furlongs is very hard to solve, but I fancy Brae Hill to be the one to come out on top. Brae Hill has ran two cracking races so far this season, finishing 2nd in the Lincoln at Doncaster and 6th in the Spring Cup at Newbury last time out. He races off the same mark (98) as that day at Newbury, but the very capable claimer Lee Topliss takes a valuable 5 pounds off his back. This brings Brae Hill's mark down to 1 pound below his previous winning mark of 94. Conditions are identical to that last win as well, 7 furlongs with good to firm ground. The field is 3 times bigger tomorrow but he has shown he has no problem handling these big field handicaps in the recent past. Dr Marwan Koukash owns 5 of the field of 29 in this race tomorrow, including Brae Hill. When interviewed on television earlier today, he nominated Brae Hill as his best chance of the 5. This is another positive note to add to the ones listed above. All in all, I expect a very big run from Brae Hill.
Haydock 3.40 - Remember Now - 5pts win @ 11/2 (Paddy Power)
Remember Now is a lightly raced sort who I feel has much more improvement to come. It has only raced 5 times, and has gradually improved with every run, winning it's last 2 races. In it's first win, it showed a great attitude to get back up on the line having been headed on the run in, and it improved greatly last time out to win with a bit in hand. He's been raised 10 pounds for that win by the handicapper, but that shouldn't be a problem for him with more natural improvement sure to come. AP McCoy takes the ride, and it looks like he's going to Haydock just to ride Remember Now. He has 1 other ride on the card, on Al Co in the previous race, who's a quirky sort who is liable to turn up to the races in any sort of mood on any given day. It certainly wouldn't be a huge chance for a winner, so it appears to me that AP is going there for this ride. This race is a rise in class for Remember Now, but I'm sure he should be able to handle it and with conditions perfect, AP on board, improvement to come I think this is maximum bet territory. Hopefully the horse does the business now tomorrow to justify my confidence.
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